How do I evaluate sin(pi/3) without using a calculator?

1 Answer
Aug 29, 2015

#sin(pi/3) = sqrt(3)/2#

Explanation:

Consider the series of diagrams below.

The interior angles of a triangle always add up to #pi# radians

An equilateral triangle will have all three angles #= pi/3# and all three sides of equal length.

If we set the sides of the equilateral triangle to #2# we can avoid fractions when we divide the triangle into 2 halves vertically,

By the Pythagorean Theorem, the height (the side opposite the angle of #pi/3#) will have a length of #sqrt(3)#

#sin(pi/3) = ("side opposite "pi/3)/("hypotenuse")=sqrt3/2#

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